From fancy parties to fireworks, here's where to ring in 2018 in Tampa Bay

Hundreds gather along Bay Shore Drive to watch a fireworks show at the North Yacht Basin during First Night 2016, a family oriented celebration of the arts that included music, art and entertainment at more than 25 venues, on Saturday, December 31, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. ANDRES LEIVA | Times

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 21: In charge of the whole evening's entertainment, actor and popular American TV host Mario Lopez served as the Master of Ceremonies on December 21, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for MSC Cruises)

As 2018 approaches, the Tampa Bay area is ready to celebrate with champagne toasts and views of fireworks and — extra! extra! — dimpled Extra host and Saved by the Bell alum Mario Lopez, who will be in Tampa to ring in the new year.

But that’s not all that’s new this year. The construction tearing up Channelside means the New Year’s Eve fireworks in downtown Tampa has pushed the public viewing area to Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park behind Amalie Arena.

Meanwhile, the Pied Piper New Year’s Eve party, which for years has taken place at Jackson’s Bistro on the downtown waterfront, will move to the TPepin Hospitality Centre and bring downtown’s other large fireworks display along with it. That’s also where Lopez will appear at Pied Piper’s NYE Twenty Eighteen Countdown.

And St. Petersburg’s family-friendly First Night celebration marks its 25th year with a wide variety of entertainment at multiple downtown locations, two sets of fireworks and a fire sculpture by local artist Andrew Panton inviting revelers to drop wishes and resolutions into a sculpture that will be set on fire at 11:30 p.m.

The Florida Aquarium is transformed from a family play area to a 21 and older party, with live entertainment, food, drinks, champagne toast and a great view of the City of Tampa’s fireworks. $130-$220. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 273-4000. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday.

Movie inspired costumes are encouraged for this Back to the Future themed New Year’s Eve party with appetizers, desserts, open wine and beer bar, dancing to live music by IDK Band and big screen viewing of the ball drop at midnight. 21 and older only. $99, $89 members. Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa. (813) 274-8982. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday.

New Year’s Bar Crawl

Party animals can get their New Year’s Eve buzz started early on this guided bar crawl with a shot at each stop. Board a bus for beer pong, flip cup, corn hole, shotgun beers and entertainment. $20-$120. Franklin Manor, 912 N Franklin St., Tampa. (813) 955-2861. 2-8 p.m. Saturday.

The annual upscale party takes place 10 stories up and takes on an "All That Glitters Is Gold" theme with premium open bar, champagne, live entertainment, DJ dancing and a view of the city of Tampa’s fireworks. Benefits the Debartolo Family Foundation. $175-$225. Fort Brooke Garage, 107 N Franklin St., Tampa. (813) 870-2255. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday.

Winter Wonderland: New Year’s Eve

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in glittering style with DJ dancing, a live band, two floors of open bar, appetizers, buffet, and a champagne toast at midnight. $135. The Birchwood, 340 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 896-1080. 8 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday.

White attire required for this five-stop early New Year’s Eve pub crawl with a free drink at each stop. Stops include Caddy’s on Central, Yard of Ale, The Landing, Thirsty First and One Night Stand. $15 (price may increase). Starts at Caddy’s, 217 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Toll-free 1-877-820-2582. 2-7 p.m. Sunday.

New Year’s 2018 at the Hollander

Enjoy live music by the Sol Band and an optional $50 per couple dinner gala before walking to the downtown St. Petersburg New Year’s Eve fireworks or lounging poolside. Regular menu also available. Parking included with any purchase. No cover. Hollander Hotel, 421 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 873-7900. 4 p.m. Sunday.

Peggy O’s greets the New Year with live music, free party favors and a champagne toast. Add an optional surf and turf dinner for $17.99. No cover. Peggy O’s Kitchen and Taps, 1026 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. (727) 787-7734. 6 p.m. Sunday.

New Year’s at the Cantina

New Year’s Eve Mexican style with three floors of festivities including free hats, tiaras, noisemakers and beads, music and four bars with special drinks at each bar. No cover. Red Mesa Cantina, 128 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 896-8226. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday.

New Year’s Eve at the Mahattan Casino

Don your best cocktail attire for this event hosted by the Callaloo Group, the new tenants of the historic venue. The party includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a carving station, cocktails and Champagne, live R&B music from the MSG Band and a special appearance by Cleo Hart. $75. Manhattan Casino, 642 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 420-2819. 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

The TradeWinds Island Grand invites revelers to don their best duds for an evening of gourmet food, dancing to live music by Motel Funk, an open bar, champagne toast and party favors. $110. 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. (727) 363-2258. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday.

ELSEWHERE

007: New Year

The clothing optional resort opens its gates at 7 p.m. for a formal 007 themed night of "mystery, secrecy and seduction" with appetizer, canapes, dinner and live music by Smokey and the Angels. $100-$110, free-$90 members. Caliente Resort and Spa, 21240 Gran Via Blvd., Land O’Lakes. (813) 996-3700. 7 p.m. Sunday.

Aripeka Elks New Year’s Eve Celebration

Join the Elks to ring in the new year. Prime rib dinner, music provided by the Belaires, open bar and champagne toast at midnight. $65, includes dinner and entertainment. Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520, 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. (727) 868-2994. 6 p.m. Sunday.

Elks New Year’s Eve Gala

The semi-formal evening with a prime rib dinner and dancing to music by the Pauly Gee band. No meal tickets sold at the door. $20, $30 with dinner. Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582, 13383 County Line Road, Spring Hill. (352) 799-7148. 6 p.m. Sunday.

Ring in the New Year at this VIP party in the Grand Ballroom that includes a la carte dinner options, party favors, cash bar and DJ dancing. $149. Pier 22 Restaurant, 1200 First Ave. W, Bradenton. (727) 748-8087. 4 p.m. Sunday.

Family friendly

HILLSBOROUGH

Light Up the Bay

The City of Tampa moves its count down to 2018 to Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. To make more viewing room, the park will not feature food, drink or entertainment. Free. Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, 601 Old Water St., Tampa. (813) 839-7300. 10 p.m. Sunday.

Noon Year’s Eve

Count down to noon and celebrate the New Year with the family at Lowry Park Zoo. Includes interactive entertainment and DJ dancing. Kids get to blow noisemakers and wear hats. Included with regular zoo admission: $32.95, $24.95 ages 3-11, 2 and younger free. 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. (813) 935-8552. Noon Sunday.

Downtown Countdown

Kids can celebrate the New Year at the top of every hour. Included with admission: $15, $12.50 military/seniors, $9.50 children, 1 and younger free. Glazer Children’s Museum, 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. (813) 443-3861. 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

For the fifth year, Circles once again brings what it says is Florida’s largest New Year’s Eve fireworks display at midnight. DJD2 will be spinning on the outdoor stage before the midnight fireworks. Smokin’ Bowls food truck on hand for late night eats. Free. Circles Waterfront Restaurant, 1212 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach. (813) 641-3275. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday.

Bring in the new year humbly with prayer, praise, worship, testimonies, spoken word, refreshments and a year in review video. Free. Cypress Point Community Church, 15820 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa. (813) 994-2789. 10 p.m. Sunday.

PINELLAS

First Night St. Petersburg

A family-oriented celebration that includes music, art and entertainment at more than 20 venues. Fireworks at 8 p.m. and midnight. This year’s headliner is the Ryan Montbleau Band. It’s free to wander around, but you need a button to participate in activities, enter venues and ride the trolley. Buttons help fund the annual volunteer-driven event. $12, $5 6-12, 5 and younger free (advance); $15, $10 6-12, 5 and younger free (day of). Straub Park at Beach Drive and Fifth Avenue NE, St. Petersburg. See a map and schedule at firstnightstpete.com. (727) 823-8906. 4 p.m.-midnight Sunday.

Adults and seniors can celebrate the New Year early with an afternoon of dancing, entertainment, door prizes and a champagne toast at noon. $7. Largo Community Center, 400 Alt. Keene Road, Largo. (727) 518-3131. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.

Noon Year’s Eve at Great Explorations

Kids can make their own party hat and join in a dance party before counting down to the noon balloon drop. Included with regular admission: $10, $9 seniors, 1 and younger free. Great Explorations Children’s Museum, 1925 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 821-8992. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

East Tampa: Pied Piper Productions party will have its own fireworks display at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, 4121 N 50th St., Tampa. 21 and older only. All-inclusive tickets start at $75.

Busch Gardens: The Tampa theme park will stay open till 1 a.m. and have a park-wide count down and fireworks. Included with admission.

Rocky Point: Whiskey Joe’s and the adjacent Bay Harbor Hotel, at 7700 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa, have midnight fireworks. Party entry is $10 and up at Whiskey Joe’s, and $15-$400 at Bay Harbor’s James Bond Party.